Louisville’s freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. will not play in Tuesday’s home game against Duke, head coach Pat Kelsey announced on Monday. Brown, who has been sidelined for four games due to a back issue, was aiming for a comeback but encountered setbacks that delayed his recovery.
Although Brown was gradually reintroduced to practice last week, medical staff decided to pause his activities to allow further rest and evaluate additional treatment options. Kelsey emphasized that while structural imaging such as MRIs showed no abnormalities, the persistent discomfort and muscle spasms remain problematic. “We haven’t been able to get the discomfort and the spasms to settle down,” Kelsey said, highlighting the ongoing difficulty in his rehabilitation.
Despite the frustration over these setbacks, Kelsey praised Brown’s work ethic and positive outlook during his recovery. “He’s working his butt off,” the coach remarked. “Nobody is spending more time in the training room. He’s got a great attitude, a pep in his step.” Brown’s teammates are aware of his determination to return, and Kelsey expressed optimism about a near-term comeback.
Brown has been a vital component of Louisville’s lineup this season, averaging 16.6 points per game, second-best on the team, while also leading in assists. His absence coincided with Louisville’s recent losses to Tennessee and Stanford, impacting the team’s performance.
Tuesday’s contest against Duke, a strong ACC rival with a 13-1 record, will tip off at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center. Louisville holds an 11-3 overall record with a 1-1 mark in conference play heading into this key matchup. The Cardinals will look to compensate for Brown’s absence with strategic adjustments to maintain competitiveness against the formidable Blue Devils.
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